Cancer Babylon strolled through the bustling streets with his witch Acadia by his side.
Under ordinary circumstances, people would flee; at best, they might stand at a great distance and stare at him, terrified. Now, it seemed, people felt emboldened, and crowded around him, looking amazed.
Wow. People must really love magic.
The witch of the night sky was clearly also aware of it, and melted away before the eyes of the throng.
He still heard her voice in his ear, however. It occurred to him that he might try removing his crown, but she warned against it.
We need a ship. She whispered. Try the square just ahead of you.
The Crown prince of the Hegemony, heir to Altirk, stopped at the major intersection and cleared his throat. The many subjects of the crown, all around them, also froze in place, listening carefully.
"I need a ship, for transport to Ulmo. The distant moon, home of the citadel of the order."
Nobody spoke out, for a moment, as a nervous whisper rattled through the crowd. Finally, a rugged looking, early thirties young man stepped forward.
"I have a small freighter, your majesty. I could bear you hence, along with your witch."
Acadia seemed pleased with him, in his ear. But just in case, the prince followed up with a slight grin.
"Can i trust you?"
The rugged man dropped to one knee, lowering his eyes.
"I'm a faithful servant of the crown, your grace. I will keep your secrets, and do my duty. Should I betray you, have your magic user kill me, and take my ship. On my family name."
"Very well, What is your name, then?"
"Rory Hindel, your grace. My ship is called the New Dawn."
Cancer looked satisfied, at this; not in the least because Acadia also seemed at ease with the prospect of journeying alongside him. Before he could agree to the journey, however, the witch of subspace interrupted, somewhat urgently.
Do you recognize that man, Cancer?
The crown prince blinked, looking around. Who?
Over there, in the dark hood. He's staring at you.
People always stare at me--
He started to say, but trailed off, breath catching in his throat.
The man staring, threateningly, out at him, was none other than the magic user whose assault had summoned the witch.
"Get back, Rory-!" Cancer grit his teeth, and tried to dart away into the gathered crowd.
Three blinding flashes of light split the silence, and screams rang out, among blood and dismemberment. The crowd scattered, clearing the zone.
More dazzling light cut through the evening, breaking windows and severing vehicles in half, across the square.
Acadia's thoughts were racing. He's sharpening light. A light weapon, That kind of ability is really terrifying...
Cancer was cornered, almost as fast as he could process it. The crowds had simply vanished, and the crown prince panted; peering up at the repeat assailant, who stood over him.
He waited, for just as long as a single heartbeat. Then, wordlessly tilting his head, Grail let the sharpened blades of sunlight fly.
Cancer staggered back, but it was too fast, and had it been up to him, his life would have Come to a sudden and very violent end, right there.
Fortunately, it seemed, that really was no longer of any genuine concern.
Unlike last time, when he'd been helpless. Acadia spun out of his shadow, at relativistic speeds, almost faster even than light. landing before him, in a low crouch; she raised one hand, to loose the starry sky--
Too quickly for Cancer Babylon's mind, it had already burst forth, and filled the room. Forming dimensional pockets, of subspace, which Intercepted every razor-edged ray of light.
Grail frowned, and the sharp light brightened. Whereupon, these new rays, too, passed harmlessly through the crown prince's body. Tearing up the world, where they landed behind him.
But before the magical light sharpener could resume his assault, again, in earnest; as a massive, glowing mess of razor edged light refocused around him, Acadia grabbed her host, and vanished with him, into her own subspace.
no sooner were they Safely hiding, than her liege exhaled a heavy breath. His head was spinning.
"Jesus Christ of old Earth... How long can we actually hide in here?"
The often beautiful, dancing stars in Acadia's eyes were all business, this time, as she averted her gaze. "since you're willing to stay, maybe a minute? Could be significantly less, If I had tried to detain him, instead of hiding you."
"Are we running?"
"I think we have to. My powers aren't developed enough, to beat a guy like this head on--"
Outside, beyond the protection of Acadia's subspace body, Grail was shredding the city, not looking altogether troubled at their absence. The vehicles and buildings around the square were falling to pieces, as cries and screams filled the air.
"Jesus christ..."